Indians rally over Viking sluggers, take win, 10-5

Tuesday

Apr 23, 2013 at 10:30 AM

PHIL PERRY

RIPLEY – It was a chilly, wet night in Sissonville as the Ripley High sluggers (4-16) took on the AA Sissonville Indians, a team they defeated 3-1 on March 23. Jared Bumpus was the star on that night, mowing down the Indians as they beat his curve ball into the ground for easy outs.

Isaac Koontz, Ripley's sophomore fireballer took the hill on Friday and took notice of the soggy conditions as he was warming up.

"I can't keep the mud out of my spikes," said Koontz.

Koontz overcame the conditions early as the burly hurler threw no-hit ball for three innings before running into trouble in the fourth when he was touched for two runs (one earned). A leadoff walk in the inning came back to bite koontz as Sissonville plated the run on a dribbler through the infield.

Ripley, as is their mode of operation in 2013, jumped out to a 2-0 lead with single runs in the second and third.Trevor Tucker got it all started with an RBI single. Logan McCoy, who was courtesy running for Isaac Koontz crossed the plate for Ripley on the play.

In the third, Koontz influenced Ripley's scoring again with a deep sacrifice fly to dead center that plated Christopher Jordan who had singled, stole second and advanced to third on a Sissonville fielding error.

It is worthy of noting that Koontz is 8-for-10 with five RBIs in his last three games. The sophomore leads the team with a (.407) batting average and has mashed his way on base this season, walking just four times.

In the top of the sixth with Ripley down 5-2, the Vikings stormed back with a purpose. With the bases juiced, Cody Piitenger was hit by a pitch and Jonny Stepp crossed the plate. Nathan tucker then blasted a sharp single to center to score Koontz and freshman Aaron Wilkinson.

Ripley had tied the score at 5-5 and looked to move closer to victory. What happened next was a disheartening turn of events for the Vikings as Sissonville plated five runs on just two hits, leading them to a 10-5 victory.The Vikings committed four errors in the game and the inning was choc-full of Viking defensive miscues and timely hitting by the Indians.

"We have been hitting well and getting guys in scoring position. We just can't seem to get the big hit when we need it late in games," said Coach Shane Casto.

"Hopefully it all clicks for us come sectional time (May 6), we have to start finishing games."

Ripley hasn't tasted victory since a 5-1 victory over cross county rival Ravenswood March 30.

In the hitting department, Christopher Jordan went 1-for-3 with a run scored and a walk, tyler pittenger was 1-for-3 with a walk, Jonny Stepp scored a run and walked twice, Isaac Koontz went 3-for-3 with a run and an RBI, Cody Pittenger drove in a run, Nathan Tucker was 2-for-3 with three RBIs and Logan McCoy and Aaron Wilkinson scored a run. Koontz pitched 4.1 innings and gave up four runs, (two earned, five hits, fanned five Indians and walked two. Jordan hurled 1.2 innings and gave up five hits, six runs (two earned)while striking out three and walking none.

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